CHAM'LINES #4 - "The Vallençant couloir"

Today, for this fourth instalment, the Chamonix mountain guide and freeride legend Stéphane Dan, a.k.a. Fanfan, is accompanying me in my quest to ski the most mythical lines… Our target is visible from my window but I have still never skied it. It is named after one of the world’s most iconic steep skiers. The Vallençant couloir!

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Exposed south-southwest the couloir is rarely in great conditions but this particular day all the ingredients mix to a perfect descent.

As the temperatures are higher than normal these days we have to be as early as possible at the summit. There is no time to lose. That said, we do bribe us in to the patrollers cabin. At the top of the Grands Montets we ski an awesome run before putting the skins on to head up to Col du Passon. Two hours later, we get to the col but we are not alone… The wind is there too! With no time to hang around, we traverse the ridge and get to the top of the couloir. As predicted, conditions are exceptional. After 1500 vertical metres (almost 5000 feet) of amazing skiing, we arrive at the Argentière glacier to then finish off in the forest all the way back to where we started, in Argentière.

To resume: a nice steep couloir (40-45°), living up to its name, it’s consistent, conditions are ideal, Fanfan and I are spending a great time, and it’s a new line for me to tick off!

See you next time, on Friday, March 7th!

   

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